The Rolling Stones    

"Four Flicks" release party, Capitale, NYC   -    Oct. 29  2003

 Exclusive review by Ms T.A.       

The Stones made the shortest appearance of their career tonight at their Four Flicks DVD release party in New York City.  
They went on stage at the 11th hour, (literally as the party was slated to end at 11) and stayed for about 60 seconds.
Mick hastily spoke to the audience, which for the most part was inaudible to those of us in the front of the stage.  No one else said anything. 
Keith shrugged his shoulders, Charlie seemed confused, Ronnie had fun making faces at the crowd of about 300 people. 
Then they rushed off stage and back up the several staircases to the private area where they had been waiting much of the night.

The fabulous party was held at the beautiful Capitale on Bowery and Grand.  Security was tight and there was a guest list check-in. 
There were also yellow wristbands that got you VIP seating and service.  Some super VIPs had a plastic laminate with the new logo. 

You couldn't get past the check-in  unless you had a black card with a guitar pick stamped with the DVD green neon tongue logo. 
You got to keep the pick, but the card was traded in at the end of the party for a goodie bag with a copy of the Four Flicks DVD 
and a very cool commemorative sweatshirt.  The embroidered sweatshirt has a big green tongue on the front, Best Buy on one sleeve, 
Capitale NYC 2003 on the other sleeve, & Rolling Stones Four Flicks on the back with dates for NY/London/Paris, Best Buy release date and a tongue.
When you first walked in The Capitale you found four plasma TV's playing the Four Flicks.  
You passed through this area (after being mesmerized by the first glimpse of the DVDs all at once). 
You could literally stand in the center of the room and see all four screens at once.

Entering the main ballroom with had high ornate ceilings and several velvet seating areas.  
There was a stage draped with black curtains.
There were several open top-shelf bars, and wonderful buffets of food.  
Servers were offering lovely hors d'oeuvres in abundance.  
The crowd was mixed with a nice balance of fans, industry and the beautiful people.

Before the Stones came out, Whoopie Goldberg warmed up the crowd, reading from a prepared speech and improvising.  
Then Michael Cohl came up to say some bullshit about Best Buy, and the Best Buy presidents said how cool it was to exclusively sell the DVD.
Also there were guests Steve Van Zant, of the E Street Band and the Sopranos. Michael Imperioli, another Soprano actor was there, 
as was Rosie O'Donnell, and Stones back up singer Lisa Fisher, Mike Davis and Kent Smith, who play horns for the Stones.  
Keith's wife Patti and daughters Theodora and Alexandra were there, as was Roy Martin, Keith's good friend, and Jo, Ronnie Wood's wife.

The DVD packaging is very cool. The four DVDs flip out like the four screens with each band member on each panel and on each DVD.  
It really looks and sounds great with some incredible rare tracks and new music.  
It's a great reminder of the wonderful Licks World Tour and the greatest rock band that ever lived!